Troubleshooting a Panasonic AG-1980, horizontal lines?
 

I mentioned in an earlier thread a problem that I have been having when using a recently acquired Panasonic AG-1980 to capture tapes in EP mode. I thought at the time that it was a tracking issue. Lordsmurf informs me that it is not a tracking issue, but that he needs more info to run down what it is.

First two files are a capture from a tape in EP (SLP) mode. The source tape is an over-the-air broadcast recording of a historical event by my parents with their pop-top JVC from 1977. (Why did they record it and keep it for 33 years? I was one of the young men wearing Dinner Dress Blue and backing up Donna Summer.) Workflow is VCR>>S-Video>>TBC-1000>>S-Video>>Tevion USB capture card>>VirtualDub on Windows XP. Mitsu is my Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U; Pana is the Panasonic AG-1980. The Panasonic's output looks very good except for those annoying horizontal lines. They have appeared on every EP mode capture which I have attempted with it so far.

However, the lines do not show up in SP mode and the performance there is quite good. Again for comparison I have two captures; same workflow. (Note: All original lossless .avi (HuffyUV) files were edited for length and rendered to mp4 with Corel VideoStudio 2018. EP captures were rendered at 2 Mbps 640 x 480; SP captures were rendered at 2.5 Mbps 720 x 480 [built-in preset].) Source tape here is a 26-year-old original commercial VHS of Disney's Pinocchio. Both VCRs do a credible job but I have to give a slight edge to the Panasonic.

So, if someone can help me figure out how to get rid of those horizontal lines in EP mode, I would be thankful.

It looks to be a heads issue. But I'm not 100% sure. As advised in PM, you should talk to TGrant about it.

I did talk to TGrant, and they were very helpful. They mentioned that the pattern could be caused by interference from other nearby equipment and that I should check it in a different area and see if the problem was affected. So, when I took the VCR into the kitchen with nothing but the TBC and a composite LCD monitor, the herringbone pattern went away. Still don't know why I had the problem in EP mode and not in SP, but now I need to look at rearranging everything to minimize interference. (New topic in a couple days? :wink2:)

He's right. I'd not even considered that. :salute:

That exact issue you're having is one that I've never seen. I'm now wondering about AG-1980 component shielding. I've long suspected that. It may also be an issue with the number of components and boards in the 1980. More stuff, more potential for problems.

That pattern you saw was not herringbone. It was something ugly, but not herringbone.

I'm just glad it's not the gear. :relief: